Mannitol and lactitol tested for gene damage in human cells
What it found
In lab tests on human white blood cells, mannitol and lactitol did not raise signs of gene damage.
Both did lower a measure of cell division at most of the doses tested.
What they found
Animal and lab studies
Gene damage signs
Both polyols did not affect chromosomal aberration or micronucleus frequency in the human lymphocytes tested.
Nuclear division index
Neither mannitol nor lactitol caused a significant change in the nuclear division index at any of the concentrations tested.
Mitotic index lowered
Mannitol, except at 500 and 1000 μg/mL, significantly decreased the mitotic index compared to the control at almost all concentrations and treatment times.
Lactitol and mitotic index
Lactitol, except at 250 μg/mL, significantly decreased the mitotic index compared to the control at almost all concentrations and treatment times.
What the authors conclude
“In conclusion, it was observed that mannitol and lactitol did not have a significant genotoxic effect at the concentrations used in human lymphocytes in vitro .”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that mannitol and lactitol did not have a significant genotoxic effect at the concentrations used in human lymphocytes in vitro.
How it was done
The safety of food additives has been a main focus of research for many years due to the ongoing debate on their potential effects on health.
They tested mannitol at 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 μg/mL and lactitol at 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 μg/mL on human peripheral lymphocytes in the lab. They looked at chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus frequency, mitotic index and nuclear division index.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- These are lab tests on human cells, not studies in people. They cannot show what happens when these sweeteners are eaten.
- The tests used cells outside the body, so they cannot show effects in a living person.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Amasya University, Turkey
The paper
- Title
- Determination of the genotoxic effects of sweeteners, mannitol and lactitol
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Animals and lab studies
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Eker-Kartal E, Avuloglu-Yilmaz E (2023). Determination of the genotoxic effects of sweeteners, mannitol and lactitol. Journal of environmental science and health. Part C, Toxicology and carcinogenesis. doi:10.1080/26896583.2023.2275984PubMed 38060281DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error